Re: Subject: Re: [Harp-L] 270 Brass Comb?

[Joseph Leone <3N037@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Mar 23, 2014, at 3:47 PM, EGS1217@xxxxxxx wrote:

> Well, whether Smokey thinks it's 'that much louder' to an onlooker, I  can 
> attest that it actually is--as can anyone else who's heard him play that  
> particular chromatic compared to his other normal chroms.

I guess you're right Scotty. When I switched chromatics in Cartagena last Sunday, several people noticed and asked what BRAND I was playing. 

> In the afternoon  
> Lobby Jams at SPAH Smokey has the disconcerting habit of playing much too  
> quietly--making everyone strain to hear him...especially in the very noisy  
> clatter of voices surrounding the players--hallway traffic, loud laughter, etc.

That's because I am shy (around other harmonica players) and feel that my playing isn't quite up to the other great players around me. Paul Davies can verify this.  
> 
> I remember in Minnesota where from just a few feet away (granted it was a 
> huge  area shared by everyone--even the vendors' store through some doors 
> probably 20  or so feet away), I could hear everyone else in the Jam during 
> their turns  except Smokey--and I have excellent hearing.

I try to keep a low profile. My shows are a bit different. I play louder. BUT on a 12 man number we all did with Mike Peloquin at SPAH several years ago (Minn/St. P. I think), I was doing a solo in the key of F on a C chromo and several people told me I wasn't loud enough. So I took a Bb and played it in G....which gave me a louder key of F. I play by rote and not by ear. So I carry 4 chromos so I can play each one in about 4-5 keys each. I have to do that at my Sunday 'invitational' jam.  
> 
> 
> Another time, when he put down one chromatic and picked up his bronze  
> bodied one, the difference in sound was quite dramatic to my ears. I'd heard  
> this before--turning around to see just who was now playing, surprised  to see 
> it was still Smokey - on a different harp. I LOVED its sound.

Yeah, I remember. I had switched to my metal one. I try to nurse it because it's 20 years old and I love it. So I was originally playing a Stan Harper 56. I used to play trumpet, so I have an affinity to the metal harmonica.  

smokey-joe
> 
> 
> Personally, I don't care about all the naysaying from those who can't  tell 
> the difference, since I attribute it to their own particular hearing (or  
> lack thereof). I know what I can hear--as do so many others of us--and it 
> cannot  be dismissingly attributed to 'expectations' since in most of these 
> cases  there were none. I've always believed no one really knows precisely what 
> it  is others can or cannot hear. It's never been an 'exact science' but  
> depends on the individual and their body and head cavities.
> 
> 
> When I put wood covers on one of my several Super 64's the sound was  
> immediately 'muted' compared to the others--and noted by other chromatic  players 
> I played to--even though a couple of them hadn't yet seen the  chromatic.
> 
> **Ok. This happened at a Garden State club meeting. Charlie Toker (a  
> beautiful chromatic player who led his own band) was sitting far across the  room 
> as I went up to play. Charlie rarely looked at the player during these Open 
> Mics--keeping his head down looking at the table top or floor as he cocked 
> an ear towards the player while listening 'hard'. My long hair and long  
> scarf contributed to hiding the instrument. I did occasionally glance  
> towards Charlie and Phil --since their opinions mattered. Charlie never looked  at 
> me but I saw a quizzical look on his face throughout and after the applause 
> he immediately called out asking what on earth I'd been playing--'that's 
> not  your usual chromatic, is it' as he peered towards me. Like me, his eyes  
> were bothered a lot by the fluorescent fixtures in the room. He then came 
> right  over and before so much as seeing the chromatic  said my playing was 
> very different that night--good, but  different. What WAS it I'd been 
> playing? When I showed him he was  entranced by the covers (custom made  
> inexpensively by a Slidemeister member who no longer does  this)...and commented that 
> 'there was a completely muted sound he had never  heard before from me--he'd 
> no idea why that would be until he saw the wood  covers, then it made 
> sense'.**
> PS: Charlie had great ears and usually played very 'bright'  himself. He 
> excelled at Klezmer type music. I still miss hearing him.
> 
> 
> The weight wouldn't be a problem for me either--one of these days I will  
> buy a brass comb from Chris--likely for my Super 64 (if the ones he'll  make 
> for the 280's fit). I like the heft of a heavier chromatic. If Val  Redler 
> Caltabellotta (who's a tiny woman) could play a big 48 chord and lug it  
> around everywhere, I can certainly play a heavier 16-hole chromatic. In  
> actuality I feel the weight would give me better control? Ymmv.
> 
> Elizabeth
> 
> "Message: 7
> Date: Sat, 22 Mar 2014 14:51:08 -0400
> From: Joseph Leone  <3n037@xxxxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: Re: [Harp-L] 270 Brass Comb?
> To: joe  hagins <joe_hagins@xxxxxxxxx>
> Cc: Harp L Harp L  <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
> 
> I have a comb made from porous bronze.  (basically same as brass). I L O V 
> E it. Most people can tell when I use it.  Mine IS louder. But I don't think 
> it is really that much more so. Important  thing for me was to cut voids 
> throughout the comb in places where it wouldn't  hurt anything. Otherwise the 
> comb ALONE will weigh well over a pound. MY 270  weighs 14.5 ounces total. 
> 
> smokey-joe 
> 
> On Mar 22, 2014, at 11:40  AM, joe hagins wrote:
> 
>> So I have been thinking of replacing my 270's  wood comb with a brass 
> unit from Blow Your Brass Off. Now I know that there is  debut about if the 
> material of the comb actually makes a difference, but I am  more focused on if 
> my stock 270 will be any louder. My main reason for brass is  that it will 
> last for ever it's not plastic. 
>> 
>> What do you guys  think?
>> 
>> Cheers,
>> Joey